Styling & Decorating A Small Apartment – Part 1

Size does not matter. Not when it comes to styling a home at least. For the past seven years I have been living in a small rooftop apartment with a mere 32 square meters. Thus I am often asked about how to style and decorate a small apartment. Well, I am not a trained interior designer nor stylist, so my idea of styling a home is a very hands-on approach. Go with the feeling, play around, apply a trial-and-error approach, give it some time and tweak around. A home is never finished – it grows and lives with you.

My overall mantra for styling a small apartment is ‘one in – one out’. It is a hard one, but it is the only way to avoid too much clutter. Sometimes I fail my own mantra – for example when it comes to vintage ceramics or cushions (may I be forgiven), but I try to let go of things that I do not love entirely. I want to buy a new chair? Fine, then I need to get rid of another one at home. Am I ready to do that? Question mark! But I think that is the only way I managed to sail in the waters of interior design blogging without ending up with a zillion things in my small apartment (suffocated under a pile of stylish throw cushions if you want so).

When I pick furniture for my apartment, I try to find stylish and functional furniture with lots of storage space – think of beds with storage space underneath, think of chest of drawers (I have all my DVDs and BluRays in those drawers), think of shelves and using your walls for storage and go for stools instead of more chairs. When not in use, pile your books and magazines on them and top it off with a nice houseplant. Easy, right? Extra tip: Use large mirrors to visually expand your home – I have two mirrors opposed to each other and they make the room look wider and brighter.

Don’t be afraid to display what you love – I love my vintage ceramics so I keep them on my sideboard but I change the arrangement and placing from time to time. Keep them grouped together – it makes a stronger impact and keeps your small interior cleaner. Of course my life would be much easier if I were a minimalistic all-white kind of guy. But hey, I love my knickknacks too much to let go. But loving home decor does not mean living in chaotic clutter – not even in a small apartment. For the German speaking/reading among you, I blogged about styling a small apartment on Roombeez too. Next week I will share the second part of my ‘Styling A Small Apartment’ story. Happy Thursday!

Hi Igor, you have such a wonderful apartment. This is such a great post because it obviously comes from experience. And just a note that even interior designers and stylists go with the feeling, play around, & tweak! xD

“A home is never finished – it grows and lives with you.” Love that one.

I’m always amazed when you mention the size of your place because from the images you share on the blog it looks a lot bigger. I like the idea of a rack on a kitchen wall to store magazines, etc. I’m debating with myself whether to put one up or go for a small shelf unit in a corner. Decisions, decisions…

In the last picture you can see the edge of my wardrobe and in the picture with the mirror you see my drawers where I have my clothes too – but I do not own too many clothes either! The perks of a small apartment:-)

I love that sentence too – the style of you home changes with you, it is a lifelong process.I discovered your blog last weekend and read it all by yesterday. I love your eye for color and your positive attitude! Wonderful!

Your apartment is awesome! I especially love all small details/finishing touches. Where did you get your recycling bin and the pillows on your couch? They are perfect for what I have in mind for my living room.

Oh boy I discovered your blog just today and I absolutely can’t get enough of it. You have such an amazing appartment! Do you mind sharing where that journal hanger is from? I’ve been searching for something like this for a while now! Thanks and have a wonderful day!

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HAPPY INTERIOR BLOG is a place where you will find everything that inspires IGOR JOSIFOVIC for a happy home. Inspiring interiors and design, home decoration, travels and plants for Urban Jungle Bloggers are the focus of this blog. Inspiration in everyday life is the basis for beautiful interiors and home decor. HAPPY READING!